John F. Kennedy: A Hero Through the Ages

John F. KennedyWikipedia“At their best, superhero origin stories inspire us and provide models of coping with adversity, finding meaning in loss and trauma, discovering our strengths and using them for good purpose” (Rosenberg). In his article “The Psychology Behind Superhero Origin Stories”, Rosenberg demonstrates that heroes are inspirational because of the way they face difficulty, like a phoenix rising from the ashes of adversity to become a new person. An admirable hero is ready to help anyone and everyone in any way he possibly can. In my opinion, the central image of heroes today has become distorted and altered from its true intention. The world idolizes those who are famous for their beauty, singing talent, or popularity, not necessarily for their heroic character. In reality, heroes are the ones who help others in any way they can even if they are presented with challenging situations and must persevere to overcome them. These are the people who use their talents and accumulated fame to better the lives of others. These are the people who never give up on their own or other’s goals, no matter how dark a difficulty may seem. These are the people who never stop trying to make the world a better place for all people. Any action, big or small, is heroic if it exemplifies the mindset of never giving up the pursuit of one’s goal or the prosperity of others. To me, a hero is any person who exhibits courage, perseverance, and selflessness throughout his whole life.

John F. Kennedy (second from left) enjoys a day at the beach with his familyWikimedia CommonsThe epitome of these key heroic traits is President John F. Kennedy. John “Jack” Fitzgerald Kennedy was born in Massachusetts on May 29, 1917, to mother Rose F. Kennedy and wealthy politician father Joseph P. Kennedy. As the second-oldest in a family of nine children, Jack Kennedy was not expected to amount to much; his older brother, Joe Jr. was looked upon to be the great politician in the family. Jack Kennedy was very ill as a child and suffered from many extremely painful back problems throughout the majority of his life. Despite this setback, he still persisted to become a Lieutenant in the Navy in 1941, during WWII. In 1943, while commanding a PT boat in the Pacific Islands, a Japanese destroyer crashed into the ship suddenly, leaving him and his crew stranded. Through a series of heroic actions later made public during his campaign, Kennedy managed to save his crew. Just over a year later, his older brother, Joe Jr., gave his life in service for his country. According to the article “John F. Kennedy”, the heavy weight of responsibility placed on Joe Jr. by his father now transferred to Jack’s shoulders. Despite this overwhelming pressure, grief over his brother’s death, and other difficulties such as health problems throughout his life, he later went on to become a congressman and eventually the President of the United States of America. Kennedy and his family were greatly loved by the majority of the American public during his presidential term. Unfortunately, a communist supporter, Lee Harvey Oswald, assassinated Kennedy during an otherwise successful campaign trip in Dallas, Texas during his third year of presidency. The nation was horrified; however, this also motivated many to fight for the good of the country, like Kennedy. To be described by the noble title hero, a person must exhibit bravery in the face of adversity, determination to withstand hardship in the way of one’s goals, and sacrifice of oneself for the good of others. One shows the heroic virtue of courage by doing something to help others even when one knows there is danger or the possibility of danger to one’s physical health, social or political status, or other harm to oneself. One demonstrates the characteristic of resolve by never giving up on one’s goal especially when faced with obstacles that get in the way. And most importantly, one who is selfless uses one’s traits or power to better the life of someone else before elevating oneself. The words and actions of John F. Kennedy display his heroism by showing that he used his courage in the face of danger in order to assist others, relied on his infinite resolve to persevere through any difficulty, and satisfied others’ needs before his own.

JFK as Commander of PT-109pxhereBecause Kennedy possesses the courage to face perilous situations and assist others, he exemplifies heroism. One example of this fearlessness was during his time in the Navy during WWII. After Lieutenant Kennedy and eleven crewmembers of PT-109 survived a crash which sunk their boat, they swam to a nearby island. Soon after, with little to eat and surrounded by enemy-controlled islands, Kennedy, as commander of the crew, decided to brave the ice-cold waters and attempt to reach a neighboring island: "Although light-headed from dehydration and lack of food, Kennedy started out. When he reached the island, he couldn’t find a sandy beach to crawl onto. His shoes scraped against the reef, which seemed endless. The coral sliced his hands and legs. So he decided on a courageous and foolhardy alternate course of action: He swam out into open water, lantern aloft, hoping to signal a passing PT boat"(O’Reilly 27). After awhile he realized no boat was coming that night, so he tried to swim back to shore but the current prevented him from returning. He was forced to stay in the ocean all night: “Carried by the currents, Kennedy floated all night long. The skin on his fingers wrinkled, and his body grew cold. But he never let go of the lamp” (O’Reilly 27). As shown by the imagery used in this piece, Kennedy was faced with severe mental and physical challenges in this situation. Kennedy’s willingness to help others despite the consequences exhibits immense courage. Another time when Kennedy demonstrated this heroic attribute was during the second year of his presidential term. He presented the information on the now famous Cuban Missile Crisis to the nation and the world on October 22, 1962, just six days after he himself learnt of the threat posed by Soviet nuclear missiles soon to be stationed in the nearby country of Cuba. Kennedy boldly expressed his unrelenting opposition to this threat to international peace in his speech when saying, “It shall be the policy of this Nation to regard any nuclear missile launched from Cuba against any nation in the Western Hemisphere as an attack by the Soviet Union on the United States, requiring a full retaliatory response upon the Soviet Union”(Kennedy). Through this announcement towards the Soviet government, Kennedy took full responsibility for preserving the peace of not only the United States, but also the entire Western Hemisphere. Even though Kennedy knew that destruction in the U.S. could ensue or his political reputation defaced in the case of failure as a result of his stand against the disruption of international peace, he still stood up for countless countries in the effort to protect freedom and tranquility throughout the world. Kennedy’s confrontation of peril for the purpose of saving and bettering the lives of others in numerous situations reinforces his heroic actions and character.

Kennedy delivers a campaign speech in Michigan on October 14, 1960flickr.comJohn F. Kennedy did not let the numerous mental and physical challenges in his life prevent him from achieving his goals; as a result, he earned the noble and fitting title of hero. One obstacle that stood in the way of Kennedy’s dreams was the death of his older brother, Joe, during WWII. Rather than wallowing in sadness and pity for himself because of the newfound pressure placed on him by his father, Kennedy chose to continue to pursue his aspiration to be a politician and, eventually, the president of the United States. He even used his brother’s death to motivate himself and others on the way to becoming a Congressman: "Veteran politicians in Boston don’t give him a chance of winning. But Kennedy doesn’t mind being an underdog… Kennedy stands before a packed hall on a cold Saturday night in January 1946 and gives a dazzling campaign speech… The audience cannot see that his hands shake anxiously. But they hear his well-chosen words as he reminds them of his own war record and explains why their[the Gold Star mother’s] sons’ sacrifices were so meaningful, speaking in an honest, sincere voice about their bravery. Then Kennedy pauses before softly referring to his fallen brother, Joe: ‘I think I know how all you mothers feel. You see, my mother is a Gold Star Mother, too’"(O’Reilly 41-43). By referring to a lost loved one of his, Kennedy not only shows the audience that he relates to them, but he also demonstrates his own perseverance through the difficulty of his brother’s death. In a way, Kennedy utilizes the memory of his fallen brother to propel himself to success. He exhibits resolve through his purposeful mindset to keep going through this hardship. Kennedy continues to display never-ending determination even through the last few months of his life. In 1963, when he is campaigning for reelection to the presidency in Montana, his campaign planner states that Dallas is not “Kennedy territory” for the upcoming election. This is because of the lack of supporters from the previous election. One ominous figure stands above the rest: “One statistic about the Texas trip is most glaring of all: More than 62 percent of Dallas voters did not vote for John Kennedy in 1960. But JFK loves a challenge. If Billings, Montana, can be won over, then why not Dallas-the ‘Big D’?”(O’Reilly 147-149). Many other friends also warn him about Dallas, and Kennedy understands the unpromising circumstance in Dallas, Texas; however, he chooses to persist through this challenge despite the unfavorable odds. Later, he is rewarded for his efforts when Dallas citizens show their rabid approval: “The earsplitting cries of approval from those thousands of hardened union men is all the proof John Kennedy needs that Texas really isn’t such a bad place after all” (O’Reilly 186). By accepting, and even welcoming, the challenge of swaying Dallas citizens to vote for him, Kennedy indicates that he is not afraid of obstacles or challenges. His resolute mindset shows his determination to overcome adversity in order to obtain his goals. Through his continual perseverance in the face of hardship or difficulty, Kennedy demonstrates his heroic attitude about how to achieve one’s aspirations.

Kennedy meets with NAACP representatives to discuss the Civil Rights Movementcommons.wikimedia.orgKennedy’s use of his skills and powers to selflessly help countless others promotes him to the position of a true hero. For example, shortly after being stranded in the ocean with his crew after the crash, Kennedy commanded the survivors to swim towards a nearby island. One crewmember had received a major burn from the explosion and, as a result, was unable to swim. Rather than leaving the man so he could flee, Kennedy used his skill to help the helpless man: “Kennedy who’d been a member of the swim team at Harvard College, towed a badly burned crew member by placing a strap of the man’s life jacket between his own teeth and pulling him… It took five hours for them to reach the island…” (O’Reilly 26). Instead of abandoning the man in order to conserve energy for the long journey, Kennedy relied on his experience and skill to assist the man in a time of crisis. In this way, Kennedy showed his heroic self-sacrifice to promote the well-being of another. Another time he showed his selflessness was when he advocated for the equal rights of all by weighing in on the important matter of Civil Rights: "In June [1963], after successfully ensuring that the University of Alabama was integrated, JFK delivered a nationally televised address about civil rights. In a hastily written and partially improvised speech that would one day be counted among his best, the president promised that his administration would do everything it could to end segregation. He pushed Congress to ‘enact legislation giving all Americans the right to be served in facilities open to the public’"(O’Reilly 133-134). During this speech, Kennedy utilized his influence on the views of American people to assist those campaigning for the end of segregation and equality for African Americans. Even though he knew that standing up for this noble cause would lose the respect of many Southerners and would cost him many votes in the next election, he abandoned all thoughts of promoting his self-image and instead used his power to sway the views of his supporters. Yet another instance which demonstrates Kennedy’s use of his position in a way which benefits countless others is his establishment of the cooperative and tranquil alternative to hostility between nations: "In 1961, Kennedy began to implement his plan to fight poverty, help cities develop, and expand government programs for citizens. This program was called the ‘New Frontier’ and was based on President Roosevelt's New Deal. On the foreign policy front, Kennedy was concerned with the growth and spread of communism, particularly in third-world nations. As such, he sought alternatives to military activities. The Peace Corps was one such alternative. With its mission determined to spread friendship and peace, Kennedy sought to stem the expansion of communism in the developing world through the use of the idealistic volunteers" (Lerner qtd. in Kennedy). Kennedy’s concern for the health and prosperity of foreign nations prompted him to create an American group who would travel to remote countries to assist them by promoting a better quality of life for all peoples. His accumulated fame provided an opportunity for him to use his influence in a way which would advance his own political ambitions. However, his decision to instead use this power to initiate an organization with the purpose of serving citizens of third-world countries exemplifies his selfless use of power. Kennedy’s charitable employment of his skills and effect on Americans for the welfare of others conveys his heroic character.

Kennedy presents one of his many captivating speeches to Congresspixabay.comAny given person may follow in the footsteps of John F. Kennedy and may become worthy of the title of a hero if he confronts difficult situations in order to help others, stands firm in the quest towards the fulfillment of his objective, and, most importantly, utilizes his talents and power in the pursuit of the improvement of the lives of those around him. Kennedy’s will to improve himself and others, no matter what stood in his way, serves as a reminder to all people, then and now, that even the sickliest boy or the most sorrowful brother can achieve even the most exotic dreams and utmost charity if he uses his traits and never ever gives up. Kennedy’s life serves as a reminder to all that anyone has the ability to reach out to their neighbors, fellow American citizens, and even people on the other side of the world if only they use whatever talents they are given to help themselves and others make the world a better place. This message has changed my life in a very memorable way. In a seemingly small, but actually quite significant way, Kennedy has truly inspired me to not only persevere to achieve my own goals as many heroes do, but also to use the knowledge and influence accumulated by achieving those goals to help those around me. For instance, I know now that it is important for me to study to for a math test if I want to receive an A, even if it is difficult material. However, I have learned that it is vital for me to use the knowledge gained through that hard work in order to help a friend who is also struggling with that difficult math topic too. I have also realized that influence is a very great power. For example, I have begun to think about dropping my dream of being a part of ASB because it requires too much time and effort. However, the story of Kennedy’s rise over hardship to the presidency has motivated me to run for an ASB position sometime in high school, maybe using my enthusiasm to become a spirit commissioner. In addition, for many years, I have dreamed of growing up to have a career that has something to do with my favorite areas of science, such as a rocket scientist or geneticist. After reading about the hero who continues to inspire all with his passionate and heartwarming speech and charitable use of his presidency, I have realized that no matter what I decide to do in life, it’s not all about me. I am meant to be an instrument of peace and charity for the world. This has inspired me to wonder if I should use my skills to become someone who can obtain power to turn the whole world right side up. Maybe it means I should use my creativity to become a writer who advocates for women’s rights through writing. Or maybe I should use my math knowledge to become a trustworthy treasurer for a charity. I don’t know what opportunity will call me to help others yet.  Whatever the world needs from me, I just need to remember that, from now on, I need to use my interests and strengths to help others. Like Kennedy, any person has the ability to rise from the ashes of adversity if only they truly decide to persevere through difficulties. Kennedy may have died prematurely, in the most horrific, heart-wrenching way after only three short years in office, but his heroic legacy most certainly did not die with him; every single person who decides to continue his heroic charity towards others makes sure that the world is a better, more peaceful place for all of humanity. If each person followed in the footsteps of Kennedy and performed just one small heroic act every day, something even as small as speaking up for a friend who is uncomfortable in a situation, the world would suddenly become a much more tranquil and unified place, filled with 7 billion courageous, determined, selfless heroes.

Works Consulted

“Address During the Cuban Missile Crisis.” John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/historic-speeches/address-during-the-cuban-missile-crisis.

“John F. Kennedy.” Historic World Leaders, edited by Anne Commire, Gale, 1994. Biography In Context, https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1616000326/BIC?u=powa9245&sid=BIC&xid=74e29ecc. Accessed 19 Dec. 2018.

Kennedy, John F. "Establishment of Peace Corps." Social Policy: Essential Primary Sources, edited by K. Lee Lerner, et al., Gale, 2006, pp. 225-227. Biography In Context, https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX2687400094/BIC?u=powa9245&sid=BIC&xid=3dccb5cd. Accessed 5 Jan. 2019.

O'Reilly, Bill Dugard Martin. Killing Kennedy. First ed., Pan Macmillan, 2013.

Rosenberg, Robin. “The Psychology Behind Superhero Origin Stories.” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 1 Feb. 2013, www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/the-psychology-behind-superhero-origin-stories-4015776/.